At least once in our life we have all experienced the magic of touch. Touch in the form of that one single pat in the back that congratulates your for doing good job; when a friend holds your hand after crying out all your troubles assures you that she’s always there for you – the magic of touch.

 

Chloe and I along with other Mum’s from the Breastfeeding Q&A UAE group won a complimentary baby massage course from The International Association of Infant Massage and Infant Massage U.S.A. with Nurse Midwife and Trained Instructor Sahar at Loving Care.

 

Everyday life can be so stressful. We may sigh and say “I need a good massage.” It’s not only us adults who feel stress but our young ones as well specially our babies who’s only way to communicate with us is with a cry; oh how frustrating can it be when no one seems to understand what you need little baby.

 

 

Benefits of Infant Massage:

• Helps relieves discomfort from gas, colic and constipation
• Improves Blood Circulation
• Aids in Digestion
• Enhanced Development of the Nervous System 
• Stimulates Neurological Development
• Increases Alertness/Heightened Awareness
• Reduces Stress Hormones
• Improves Immune Function
• The Release of Oxytocin, the Nurturing Hormone
• Relaxes and soothes
• Deepens Bonding
• Improves communication
• Contributes to development
• Empowers
• Helps baby sleep better

 

Comfortably we choose a spot in a circle with our babies and talk about our week (talking to other mom’s somehow re-assures one that you are not alone); Sahar our lovely instructor talks to us the benefits of each massage stroke we are doing, we then get our grapeseed oil carefully rub it between our palms and before we start we look our babies eye-to-eye and ask “Can I give you a massage?” 

 

The course is 4-5 sessions for about one and half an hour each. We have spent 5 wonderful Saturdays with the group and we all have seen how each baby has changed from a fussy one when started to a more calm behaviour with each massage stroke. Chloe and I have a much better bonding after class; we both look forward to 10 am for our massage time before she takes a bath. I tell you she demands one; well she gets all fussy when the clock strikes 10 am but when I ask her “Would you like a massage”  I get a little smile of YES.

I did notice that she gets better sleep after I give her a massage and when I’ve done just every trick I know to calm her down the one thing she needs is a good tummy massage along with her favorite song with it – skid a ma rink a dink.

***

 

Loving Care:  is a comprehensive program to empower women with knowledge, tools, and experience to connect with themselves and their baby, as they become centered themselves. These are done through consultation
and programs we offer. Loving Care prenatal and breastfeeding sessions, postnatal home visits and lactation consultation/breastfeeding support, and Baby massage classes. These can be done in private or as a group.
Lovingcare@inspiratus.us 

 

Sahar Alhusseini is a U.S. Certified Nurse Midwife and lactation consultant with experience in women’s health,
childbirth, lactation consulting and infant massage. As Loving Care’s resident prenatal and postnatal health
practitioner, she provides education, and support in many different areas of women and baby’s health including
breastfeeding and baby massage. Sahar holds a Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Illinois Chicago
and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University, USA.